Nigeria Police arrest suspects supplying arms and drugs to bandits in Adamawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto states
Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested multiple suspects reportedly supplying arms and illicit drugs to bandits operating across several states, the Force announced in Abuja on Tuesday.
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The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the arrests include two suspected arms dealers, John Magah, 45, and Ishaya Stephen, 43, who were apprehended during an ongoing investigation.
Magah, described as a local gun fabricator, allegedly facilitates the sale of arms and ammunition to bandits along the Cameroonian border and in Adamawa State.
“Recovered from the suspects were one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, one pump-action gun, and four live cartridges,” Hundeyin said.
“Both have been involved in arms trading for over five years, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.”
In a separate operation, the police arrested a suspected illicit drug supplier, Ifeanyi Egbeke, 40, in Kaduna State on November 2, 2025, in collaboration with the Department of State Services.
Recovered items included tramadol, 326 bottles of codeine, BP injection syrups, Hypnos tablets, and Indian hemp.
Investigations revealed Egbeke supplied drugs to bandits in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states.
Additional arrests include gunrunner Salisu Mohammed, aka Mande Dawa, in Zamfara State, from whom an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 32 rounds of ammunition were recovered hidden in a millet bag.
Uchenna Ikpe was also detained transporting 24 bags of Indian hemp from Lagos to Abuja.
Another suspect, Yunana Iliya, 34, also known as Bado, was arrested in Kaduna State over arms dealing and kidnapping.
Five AK-47 rifles and 150 rounds of ammunition were seized.
He reportedly admitted supplying weapons to bandits and participating in the kidnapping of four children.
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Hundeyin said investigations are ongoing in all cases, with intensified efforts to apprehend other suspects linked to these crimes.
